Assembly Dem asking Ellis to slow abortion bill’s fast track

A state lawmaker is calling on a fellow Fox Cities legislator to slow an abortion bill being fast tracked at the Capitol. One week after lawmakers introduced a bill to put more restrictions on getting an abortion, the Senate is scheduled to vote today on the proposal. Rep. Bernard Schaber (D-Appleton) is asking Senate President Mike Ellis to delay the vote.

The bill forces women to have an ultrasound before they undergo an abortion. It also requires doctors who perform the procedure to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles.

Planned Parenthood officials say the bill would force them to close their Grand Chute clinic, because physicians operating there can’t meet the admitting privileges requirement. If the Grand Chute provider closes, Milwaukee and Madison would have the only abortion clinics in Wisconsin.